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Nanoscale Biophotonics Research Group

Past members of the group.

The following is a list of the people who have passed through the group, some as graduate students others as short-term visitors.

Past Graduate Students:

Dr. Sarah Power (PhD. Physics, 1999-2002): Sarah's Ph.D. thesis title was " Fluorescence Lifetime based sensing for pH monitoring". Her project involved studying the effect of pH on the fluorescence behaviour of fluorophores and the development of sensing membranes . After her PhD, Sarah completed her medical degree and is now a practicing medical doctor in Canada. Aspects of this work was presented at the BIOS 2001 meeting in San Jose (Jan. 2001), and at the OptoIreland meeting in Galway (Sept. 2002). For more details of this work ( pH sensing page). Evaluation of acridine in Nafion as a fluorescence lifetime based pH sensor. A.G. Ryder, S. Power, and T.J. Glynn. Applied Spectroscopy, 57(1), 73-79, (2003). Fluorescence lifetime based pH sensing using Resorufin. A.G. Ryder, S. Power, and T.J. Glynn. Proc SPIE Int. Soc. Opt. Eng. , 4876, 827-835, (2003). [ full paper] Time-domain measurement of fluorescence lifetime variation with pH. A.G. Ryder, S. Power, T.J. Glynn, & J.J. Morrison. Proc. SPIE vol. 4259 , 102-109, (2001). [ full paper] Back to top
Emma Murray-Hayden (MSc. Geology , 2000-04): Emma (B.Sc. Geology) worked on the development of quantitative models for predicting petroleum composition using fluorescence lifetime measurements. The picture shows Emma working on the original cuvette based fluorescence lifetime system. Dissertation, awarded 2004, title: "The analysis of Crude Oils using Ultra-fast Fluorescence Lifetimes."
Dr. Milosz Przyjalgowski (Ph.D. Physics, 2000-05). Milosz worked on developing a method for the non-destructive analysis of petroleum fluids in microscopic fluid inclusions. Milosz graduated in early 2006. He now works in Cork as an R&D Engineer at Centre for Advanced Photonics & Process Analysis (CAPPA). Thesis title: "Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic analysis of petroleum oils and hydrocarbon bearing fluid inclusions (HCFI)." Spontaneous emission from semiconductor nanocrystals in coupled spherical microcavities, Yu. P. Rakovich, M. Gerlach, A.L. Bradley, J.F. Donegan, J. Boland, T. Connolly, M. Przyjalgowski, A. Ryder, N. Gaponik, and A.L. Rogach, Physica Status Solidi (C), 2(2), 858-861, (2005). DOI: 10.1002/pssc.200460351 Time-resolved fluorescence microspectroscopy for characterizing crude oils in bulk and hydrocarbon bearing fluid inclusions. A.G. Ryder, M.A. Przyjalgowski, M. Feely, B. Szczupak, and T.J. Glynn, Applied Spectroscopy , 58(9), 1106-1115, (2004). DOI: 10.1366/0003702041959505 Confined optical modes in small photonic molecules with semiconductor nanocrystals. Yu.P. Rakovich, M. Gerlach, A.L. Bradley, J.F. Donegan, T.M. Connolly, J.J. Boland, M.A. Przyjalgowski, A. Ryder, N.Gaponik, and A.L. Rogach. Journal of Applied Physics, 96(11), 6761-6765, (2004). DOI: 10.1063/1.1812355 A compact violet diode laser based fluorescence lifetime microscope. A.G. Ryder, T.J. Glynn, M. Przyjalgowski, B. Szczupak. Journal of Fluorescence, 12(2), 177-180, (2002). DOI: 10.1023/A:1016896314122
Suzanne Cawley (MSc. Physics, 2002-05): Suzanne researched the development of Quantitative Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (QSERS) methods for the analysis of therapeutic agents and illicit narcotics. Suzanne submitted her MSc dissertation in Sept. 2005. Dissertation title: Quantitative surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy using colloid-hydropolymer matrices.
Jennifer Conroy (MSc. Chemistry, 2003-05): Jennifer (a Physics graduate from DIT) worked on the Hazard-IQ project which is developing automated Raman spectroscopic based methods for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of hazardous materials. She submitted her MSc thesis in Oct. 2005. Dissertation title: "Hazardous substance analysis using Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics." Qualitative and quantitative analysis of chlorinated solvents using Raman spectroscopy and machine learning. J. Conroy, A.G. Ryder, M.N. Leger, K. Hennessey, and M.G. Madden. Proc SPIE Int. Soc. Opt. Eng ., 5826, 131-142, (2005). [ full paper] Back to top
Dr. Marie-Louise O'Connell (PhD. Chemistry, 2003-08): Marie-Louise was investigating the use of Raman spectroscopy for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of illicit narcotics and medicines. This project used chemometrics and advanced machine learning to develop identification algorithms for illicit narcotics and dangerous medicines. The work was done in conjunction with Dr. Michael Madden's group in the IT department. The IT group have developed new machine learning methods to evaluate the data that Marie-Louise collects on both portable and laboratory based Raman systems. Marie-Louise was a graduate (Physics) of the Dublin Institute of Technology. Qualitative Analysis using Raman Spectroscopy and Chemometrics: a comprehensive model system for narcotics analysis. M.-L. O'Connell, A.G. Ryder, M. Leger, & T.Howley. Applied Spectroscopy, 64(10), 1109-1121, (2010). Online at: http://www.opticsinfobase.org/abstract.cfm?URI="as-64-10-1109 Classification of a target analyte in solid mixtures using principal component analysis, support vector machines and Raman spectroscopy, M. O'Connell, A.G. Ryder, M.N. Leger, T. Howley, and M.G. Madden. Proc SPIE Int. Soc. Opt. Eng., 5826, 340-350, (2005). [ full paper] Back to top
Dr. Boguslaw Szczupak (PhD. Physics, 2000-09): Boguslaw worked on developing spectroscopic methods for the characterization of thin biomedical polymers. He graduated in Nov. 09 and is now at CICbiomaGUNE in Spain, contact details here. Thesis papers: Polarity assessment of thermoresponsive poly(NIPAM-co-NtBA) copolymer films using fluorescence methods. B. Szczupak, A.G. Ryder, D.M. Togashi, Y.A. Rotchev, A.S. Klymchenko, A. Gorelov, and T.J. Glynn, Journal of Fluorescence, 20(3), 719-731, (2010). DOI: 10.1007/s10895-010-0613-5 Measuring the micro-polarity and hydrogen-bond donor/acceptor ability of thermoresponsive N-isopropylacrylamide/N-tert-butylacrylamide copolymer films using solvatochromic indicators. B. Szczupak, A.G. Ryder, D.M. Togashi, Y.A. Rotchev, A. Gorelov, and T.J. Glynn, Applied Spectroscopy, 63(4), 442-449, (2009). A compact violet diode laser based fluorescence lifetime microscope. A.G. Ryder, T.J. Glynn, M. Przyjalgowski, and B. Szczupak. Journal of Fluorescence, 12(2), 177-180, (2002). A fluorescence methodology for assessing the polarity and composition of novel thermoresponsive hydrophilic/hydrophobic copolymer system. (Invited Paper), A.G. Ryder, B. Szczupak, Y.A. Rotchev, A.S. Klymchenko, A. Gorelov, and T.J. Glynn. Proc SPIE Int. Soc. Opt. Eng., 5826, 1-11, (2005). [ full paper] Other papers: Investigating trypthopan quenching of fluorescein fluorescence under protolytic equilibrium. D.M. Togashi, B. Szczupak, A.G. Ryder, A. Calvet, and M. OLoughlin, Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 113(12), 2757-2767, (2009). Online at ACS: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jp808121y. Time-resolved fluorescence microspectroscopy for characterizing crude oils in bulk and hydrocarbon bearing fluid inclusions. A.G. Ryder, M.A. Przyjalgowski, M. Feely, B. Szczupak, and T.J. Glynn, Applied Spectroscopy , 58(9), 1106-1115, (2004). DOI: 10.1366/0003702041959505
Churn-Yee Chong (MSc Chemistry, 2006-09): Churn worked on the development of novel analytical methods for the analysis of Biopharmaceutical processes. He will graduate in summer 2010. He is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde (M.Sc. Pharmaceutical analysis, 2006)., the University of Keele (Dip. Clin. Pharm.), and the School of Pharmacy, University of London (B.Sc. Pharm, 1998).
Dr. Peter Owens (PhD Chemistry, 2006-10): Peter studied the photo-physics of fluorescence emission from crude petroleum oils and the development of fluorescence based methods for the analysis of hydrocarbon bearing fluid inclusions (HCFI). His project was funded by the SFI Research Frontiers Programme. Peter graduated in 2010 and now works in the Department of Anatomy in NUIG and his contact details can be found here. Peter is a graduate of DIT (B.Sc. chemistry, 1991) and UCD (M.Sc. chemistry, 1994). Low temperature Fluorescence Study of Crude Petroleum Oils. P. Owens and A.G. Ryder, Energy & Fuels, 25(11), 5022-5032, (2011). DOI: 10.1021/ef201030t Frequency Domain Fluorescence Lifetime Study of Crude Petroleum Oils. P. Owens, A.G. Ryder, and N.J.F. Blamey. Journal of Fluorescence, 18(5), 997-1006, (2008). Online here. DOI: 10.1007/s10895-008-0330-5 The application of structured-light illumination to hydrocarbon-bearing fluid inclusions. N.J.F. Blamey, A.G. Ryder, M. Feely, P. Dockery, and P. Owens, Geofluids, 8, 102-112, (2008). DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-8123.2008.00209.x
Dr. Richard Murray (PhD Chemistry, 2004-10): Richard developed a fast gated ICCD system for use in Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy. This ICCD-FLIM system was used to measure fluorescence lifetimes down to ~300-400ps on a microscopic scale when coupled to an Olympus BX60 microscope using a 405 nm excitation source. The system was used for imaging Hydrocarbon bearing Fluid Incisions. He also undertook several photo-physics studies on crude petroleum oils. Richard was a Physics graduate from NUI-Galway. He graduated in Oct. 2011 and is now at CICbiomaGUNE in Spain, contact details here.
Dr. Cheryl Morris (PhD Chemistry, 2007-11): Cheryl Morris worked on developing fluorescence based methods for the characterization of thin polymer films. She graduated in March 2012. Her project was funded by the SFI Research Frontiers Programme. She is a 2007 graduate of NUIG chemistry and is now working in our group on bioanalytical applications. Study of water adsorption in Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) thin films using fluorescence emission of 3-hydroxyflavone probes. C. Morris, B. Szczupak, A.S. Klymchenko, and A.G. Ryder. Macromolecules. 43(22), 9488-9494, (2010). DOI: 10.1021/ma102152j
Domhnall O'Shaughnessy (2007-2012): Domhnall studied Metal Enhanced Fluorescence (MEF), polymer dynamics using FCS, and the interaction of proteins with nanoparticles using FCS. He is a 2007 graduate of NUIG chemistry. Domhnall passed his viva on 13/06/2012 and graduated in November 2012. Monitoring Local unfolding of Bovine Serum Albumin during denaturation using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. D.M. Togashi, A.G. Ryder, and D. O'Shaughnessy, Journal of Fluorescence, 20(2), 441-452 ( 2010 ). DOI: 10.1007/s10895-009-0566-8
Dr. Amandine Calvet (PhD Chemistry, 2009-12): Amandine worked on the application of fluorescence EEM spectroscopy and chemometrics for the quantitative analysis of cell culture media. This project was funded by IRCSET. She passed her viva on 30/11/12. Rapid Quantification of Tryptophan and Tyrosine in Chemically Defined Cell Culture Media using Fluorescence Spectroscopy. A. Calvet, B. Li, and A. G. Ryder. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 71, 89-98, (2012). DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2012.08.002 Investigating trypthopan quenching of fluorescein fluorescence under protolytic equilibrium. D.M. Togashi, B. Szczupak, A.G. Ryder, A. Calvet, and M. O'Loughlin, Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 113(12), 2757-2767, (2009). Online at ACS: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jp808121y .

Postdoc ALUMNI:

Dr. Denisio Togashi (2004-11): Deniso worked on developing fluorescence based methods for the quantitative characterization of protein-surface interactions. Graduated in Chemistry cum laude from National University of Rio de Janeiro (1993), Brazil. DSc.(Organic Chemistry) at National University of Rio de Janeiro (1997), Brazil. Previous Post-Doc at Instituto Superior Tecnico, Portugal. His general research is in the area of Molecular Photochemistry and Photophysics in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. Specifically, He is interested in the study of optically functional systems based on self-organised assembly via any non-covalent interactions, such as electrostatic and hydrogen bonding. In his previous work, he has studied some of the principles involved in the non-covalent interactions in order to better understand how to kinetically and thermodynamically control a self-organized system with optical functionality. In his current position, he is investigating the interactions present in protein-fluorophores molecular complex mainly adsorbed on solid surfaces. The structural parameters involved in such interactions will be obtained by studying the fluorescence emission of the proteins at microscopy space domain. NUIG Publications: Assessing protein-surface interactions with a series of multi-labeled BSA using Fluorescence Lifetime Microscopy and Forster Energy Resonance Transfer. D.M. Togashi and A.G. Ryder, Biophysical Chemistry, 152, 55-64, (2010). DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2010.07.006 Monitoring Local unfolding of Bovine Serum Albumin during denaturation using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. D.M. Togashi, A.G. Ryder, and D. O'Shaughnessy, Journal of Fluorescence, 20(2), 441-452 ( 2010). DOI: 10.1007/s10895-009-0566-8 Polarity assessment of thermoresponsive poly(NIPAM-co-NtBA) copolymer films using fluorescence methods. B. Szczupak, A.G. Ryder, D.M. Togashi, Y.A. Rotchev, A.S. Klymchenko, A. Gorelov, and T.J. Glynn, Journal of Fluorescence, 20(3), 719-731, ( 2010). DOI: 10.1007/s10895-010-0613-5 "Quantifying Adsorbed Protein on Surfaces using Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy." D.M. Togashi, A. G. Ryder, and G. Heiss, Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 72(2), 219-229, ( 2009). "Measuring the micro-polarity and hydrogen-bond donor/acceptor ability of thermoresponsive N-isopropylacrylamide/N-tert-butylacrylamide copolymer films using solvatochromic indicators." B. Szczupak, A.G. Ryder, D.M. Togashi, Y.A. Rotchev, A. Gorelov, and T.J. Glynn, Applied Spectroscopy, 63(4), 442-449, ( 2009). Online at: Ingenta. "Investigating trypthopan quenching of fluorescein fluorescence under protolytic equilibrium." D.M. Togashi, B. Szczupak, A.G. Ryder, A. Calvet, and M. O'Loughlin, Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 113(12), 2757-2767, ( 2009). Online at ACS: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jp808121y . "Trigger factor from the psychrophilic bacterium P. Frigidicola is a monomeric chaperone." S. Robin, D.M. Togashi, A.G. Ryder, and J.G. Wall, Journal of Bacteriology, 191(4), 1162-1168, ( 2009). Online here. DOI:10.1128/JB.01137-08 "A fluorescence analysis of ANS bound to bovine serum albumin: binding properties revisited using energy transfer." D.M. Togashi and A.G. Ryder. Journal of Fluorescence, 18(2), 519-526, (2008). Online here. DOI: 10.1007/s10895-007-0294-x. "Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging study of a thin protein layer on solid surfaces." D.M. Togashi and A.G. Ryder. Experimental & Molecular Pathology, 82(2). 135-141, (2007). DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2007.01.005 "Mobility and distribution of replication protein A in living cells at single molecule level." C. Braet, H. Stephan, I. Dobbie, D. Togashi, A.G. Ryder, Z. F�ldes-Papp, N. Lowndes, and H.P. Nasheuer. Experimental & Molecular Pathology, 82(2). 156-162, (2007). DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2006.12.008 "Time-resolved fluorescence studies on bovine serum albumin denaturation process. D.M. Togashi and A.G. Ryder, Journal of Fluorescence, 16(2), 153-160, (2006). DOI: 10.1007/s10895-005-0029-9
Dr. Paul Ryan (2008-09): Paul worked on the CBAS project. NUIG papers: Fluorescence EEM Spectroscopy for Rapid Identification and Quality Evaluation of Cell Culture Media Components. B. Li, P.W. Ryan, M. Shanahan, K.J. Leister, and A.G. Ryder. Applied Spectroscopy, 65(11), 1240-1249, (2011). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1366/11-06383 Rapid Characterisation and Quality Control of Complex Cell Culture Media Solutions using Raman Spectroscopy and Chemometrics. B. Li, P.W. Ryan, B.H. Ray, K.J. Leister, N.M.S. Sirimuthu, and A.G. Ryder. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 107(2), 290-301, (2010). Prediction of Cell Culture Media performance using Fluorescence Spectroscopy. P.W. Ryan, B. Li, M. Shanahan, K.J. Leister, and A.G. Ryder, Analytical Chemistry, 82, 1311-1317, (2010) . DOI: 10.1021/ac902337c
Dr. Nigel Blamey (2006-08): Worked on the development of a fluorescence-based method for the analysis of single hydrocarbon-bearing fluid inclusions to enhance petroleum exploration. The primary goal of the research is concerned with developing quantitative fluorescence-based techniques for the non-contact, non-destructive analysis of fluid inclusions. Nigel received a B.Sc. from the University of Natal , a B.Sc.(Hons) from Rhodes University and a M.Sc. in Economic Geology also from Rhodes University. He completed his Ph.D. at New Mexico Tech using fluid inclusions to resolve the ore genesis of the Pipeline Mine, a world-class Carlin-type gold deposit in Nevada. He is now back at New Mexico Tech as a visiting researcher. http://www.ees.nmt.edu/blamey/ NUIG papers: Hydrocarbon migration in Jurassic sandstones from the Porcupine Basin, offshore Ireland: evidence from fluid inclusion studies. Conliffe J., Feely M., Parnell J., Blamey N., and Ryder A.G., Petroleum Geoscience, 16(2), 67-76, (2010). DOI: 10.1144/1354-079309-007 Application of fluorescence lifetime measurements on single petroleum-bearing fluid inclusions to demonstrate multicharge history in petroleum reservoirs. Blamey NJF, Conliffe JF, Parnell J, Ryder AG, and Feely M, Geofluids, 9, 330-337, ( 2009). DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-8123.2009.00265.x Frequency Domain Fluorescence Lifetime Study of Crude Petroleum Oils. P. Owens, A.G. Ryder, and N.J.F. Blamey. Journal of Fluorescence, 18(5), 997-1006 (2008). Online here. DOI: 10.1007/s10895-008-0330-5 The application of structured-light illumination to hydrocarbon-bearing fluid inclusions. N.J.F. Blamey, A.G. Ryder, M. Feely, P. Dockery, and P. Owens, Geofluids, 8, 102-112, (2008). DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-8123.2008.00209.x	Back to top
Dr. N. Sirimuthu (2007-2008): Graduated from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura , Colombo , Sri lanka with a Chemistry honors degree in 2001. He was awarded a Royal society of Chemistry studentship to continue his research towards a PhD on Raman spectroscopy/ Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy with Dr Steven Bell (Director IMM) in Queen�€�s University of Belfast, UK . His research involved development of Raman based methods to Quantitative analysis of pharmaceuticals, biological warfare agents such as Anthrax, and DNA/RNA nucleotides. He also has extensive practical knowledge on development of SERS based methods for ultra low concentrations of analytes. During his postgraduate studies, he also applied chemometric methods to quantify Raman data. He was then offered a research fellow position in the same department for one year (2006-07) where he involved in much of research on modification of metal nanoparticles to be sensitive to different class of chemical compounds. He worked on the analysis of complex materials using SERS and conventional Raman methods. NUIG papers: Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) and Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Screening Yeast Extracts, A Complex Component of Cell Culture Media. B. Li, N.M.S. Sirimuthu, B. Ray, and A.G. Ryder, Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 43(8), 1074-1082, (2012). Rapid Characterisation and Quality Control of Complex Cell Culture Media Solutions using Raman Spectroscopy and Chemometrics. B. Li, P.W. Ryan, B.H. Ray, K.J. Leister, N.M.S. Sirimuthu, and A.G. Ryder. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 107(2), 290-301, (2010). DOI: 10.1002/bit.22813	Back to top
Dr. Christian Moschner (2007-08): Worked on the CBAS project and his main research involved the FT-IR and NIR analysis of complex materials. He started his studies of Bioprocess Engineering - Technology of Renewable Resources in Sept. 1999 at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hanover, Germany, and finished those with a diploma thesis in 2003. Within his first internship (2001) at the Ege-University Izmir, Turkey , and at the Justus-Liebig-University Gie�en, Germany , he accomplished various analyses of quality parameters of different agricultural products in the laboratory. Following his diploma degree Christian R. Moschner took up a position as a scientific coworker in the workgroup Prof. B. Biskupek-Korell & Prof. E. Wuest at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hanover, Germany , Department of Bioprocess Engineering in Sept. 2003. In a cooperative project with the Federal Agricultural Research Centre, Brunswick , Germany , Institute of Crop and Grassland Science (workgroup Dr. C. Paul & Dr. G. Ruehl) and the University Hohenheim, State Plant Breeding Institute (workgroup Dr. V. Hahn) he developed several near-infrared calibrations for the estimation of quality parameters of agricultural products and for the preparation of his Ph.D thesis.	Back to top
Dr. Robert Rajko (2006-07): Chemometric method development, CBAS. He joined the group in May 2006 from the University of Szeged and worked on the CBAS project.He is now back at the University of Szeged. Back to top
Dr. Marc Leger (2004-06): Chemometrics and Raman spectroscopy, Hazard-IQ. Marc is now back in Canada. Marc worked on the forensics research project of the Nanoscale Biophotonics group. His research included populating a database of Raman spectra of various solid and liquid compounds, and the development and application of chemometric techniques for the detection, identification and quantification of illicit materials such as narcotics, explosives and dangerous solvents. NUIG papers: Comparison of derivative pre-processing and automated polynomial baseline correction method for classification and quantification of narcotics in solid mixtures. M.N. Leger and A.G. Ryder, Applied Spectroscopy , 60(2), 182-193, (2006). DOI: 10.1366/000370206776023304
Dr. Bryan H. Ray (2005-06): Bryan worked on the spectroscopic analysis of complex biological materials used in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Now back in the US working for Snowy Range Instruments, a Raman instrument manufacturer. NUIG papers: Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) and Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Screening Yeast Extracts, A Complex Component of Cell Culture Media. B. Li, N.M.S. Sirimuthu, B. Ray, and A.G. Ryder, Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 43(8), 1074-1082, (2012). DOI: 10.1002/jrs.3141 Rapid Characterisation and Quality Control of Complex Cell Culture Media Solutions using Raman Spectroscopy and Chemometrics. B. Li, P.W. Ryan, B.H. Ray, K.J. Leister, N.M.S. Sirimuthu, and A.G. Ryder. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 107(2), 290-301, (2010). DOI: 10.1002/bit.22813 .
Dr. Marisa Phelan (2006): Chemometrics and Raman spectroscopy, Hazard-IQ. Now at Henkel in Dublin.
Dr. Patrick Fournet (2004-06): Worked on Metal enhanced fluorescence.	Back to top

Past visiting students

Summer 2011:	Rebecca Pigot, 3rd year UREKA student, funded under the MolRec programme: Michelle Kyne, 3rd year UREKA student, funded under the MolRec programme:
Summer 2010:	Denis Coffey, M.Sc. student: Studying thermo-responsive polymers. Caroline Goldrick, M.Sc. student: Chemometric analysis of cell culture media using FT-IR spectroscopy. Ronan Fitzpatrick, 3rd year UREKA student, funded under the MolRec programme: Jonathon Donaghue, 3rd year UREKA student, funded under the MolRec programme:
Summer 2009:	Loretta Breslin, M.Sc. student: Studying protein adsorption on surfaces using confocal microscopy. Neil Murphy, M.Sc. student: Studying protein adsorption on surfaces using spectroscopy. Valerie Murphy, 4th year student: Using fluorescence methods to study amino acids in complex mixtures (CBAS project). Edel Houton, UREKA student, funded under the MolRec programme. Nadine McClaeary, 3rd year student: Fluorescence analysis of complex mixtures (CBAS project). Cesar Maule, visiting PhD student from Oporto: Fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy of quantum dots. Angela Chang, IAESTE trainee from Berkley: SERS analysis of complex mixtures (CBAS project)
Summer 2008:	Amandine Calvet
Summer 2007:	Michelle McKinney (2nd year Undergraduate); Noemie Marguerite (French Undergraduate). Emmanuelle Bays (Swiss, IAESTE trainee.)
Summer 2006:	Edward Lynch (UREKA student); Deirdre McMahon (MSc student):
Summer 2005:	Maria Nash (UREKA student); David Meehan (UREKA student); Margaret Collins (MSc student); Gerard Sullivan (MSc student):

Summer 2004: Timothe Boutellier. Timothe visited here from INP Grenoble ENSPG on a 2 month summer placement. He worked on aspects of portable fluorescence instrumentation.
Summer 2004: Frantz Stabo-Eeg. Frantz, was a visiting IAESTE student who was based in our lab for 2 months in the summer. He had just finished his Physics degree at Trondheim University. During his time in Galway, Frantz helped out with bringing online various hardware components that we will use for biological studies. He also studied the fluorescence lifetime behaviour of crude oils using 2 different excitation wavelengths (375 & 440 nm). Back to top
Summer 2004: Peter Dunne & Ed. Cawley. Peter and Ed (pictured left) are working in the lab for the summer under the auspices of the UREKA programme. Peter worked on luminescent SnO₂thin films while Ed was developing synthetic routes for nanorods. Peter is now doing a PhD with Prof. Des Cunningham in Inorganic Chemistry.
Tomas Doyle (M.Sc. Biomedical Eng. Sci.) - Summer 2004. Thomas worked in the laboratory for 4 months as part of the research element of the M.Sc. course. Tomas project involved developing fibre probes for a phase-modulation fluorescence lifetime system. Specific aspects included optimising the laser fibre coupling and the development of fibre set-ups for clinical and sensing applications. Back to top
Cartha Donovan ( M.Sc. Biomedical Eng. Sci.) - Summer 2004. Cartha iworked in the laboratory for 4 months as part of the research element of the M.Sc. course. Cartha developed a fluorescence based protocol for measuring the elution of materials from biomedical polymers. He is also worked on a thin film measurement methodology for use with polymer thin films. Back to top
Joanne Gashumba (Monash University) - Summer 2004 Joanne, was a visiting IAESTE student who is based in our lab for 3 months this summer. She is an undergraduate student at Monash University in Australia studying Biomedical Engineering. Her summer project involved the development of fluorescence lifetime based sensors for pH and oil sensing.
	Martin O'Halloran (L), Martin Hynes (M), & Fergal Dunne (R) - Summer 2004: All three have recently finished their B.E. degrees in electronic engineering and worked in the group for 3 months. They assisted in the development of FOFLI instrumentation and software.

Other visitors:

Yvonne Higgins - Summer 2004/Summer 2005:
Yvonne has joined us for the summer under SFI's STAR programme which gives second level science teachers a chance to work in SFI funded laboratories. Yvonne will be working on a fluorescence lifetime based pH sensor which has applications in clinical medicine.

Yvonne is a chemistry teacher who was based in East Glendalough School (Wicklow), but moved to Bundoran in 2006. She is also heavily involved in the Irish Science Teachers Association (ISTA).

Visiting & short term research students

In 2010/11 there were two undergraduate researchers (4th year chemistry) based in the NBL: Ronan Fitzpatrick: Development of MEF substrates. Jonathon Donaghue: Spectroscopic analysis of polymer thin films.

In 2009/10 there were two undergraduate researchers (4th year chemistry) based in the NBL: Adrian McGettigan (spectroscopic analysis of home made explosives), Eimear Nolan (Analysis of phytone degradation using fluorescence spectroscopy).

Valerie Murphy, Patricia Fitzpatrick, Darren Carty (2008-09): 4th year Chemistry students working on various projects including fluorescence quenching of fluorescein by amino acids, energy transfer interactions between amino acids, and yeast extract degradation.

Muireann O'Loughlin, Eamon Joyce, Claire O'Connell (2007-08): 4th year Chemistry students working on various projects including fluorescence quenching, thin film measurements, and yeast extract degradation.

Domhnall O'Shaughnessy, Robert Mulryan (2006-07): 4th year Chemistry students working on various projects to do with TiO2 and SnO₂ nanoparticles and their interactions with proteins.

Kevin Burke, Laverne Mullen, John Murphy (2003-04): 4th year Chemistry students working on various projects to do with SnO₂ thin films and their luminescence properties.

Christin Weicht (Feb. - June 2002): Christin (visiting student) worked on a Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) study of biomedical polymers, and a method for fabricating nano-structured SERS substrates.

Renaud Gay (May - Aug. 2001): Renaud ( visiting student from the University of Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris VI) worked on developing a Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) technique as part of a three month internship.

Miriam Seery: (May - Sept. 2001): Miriam was involved with the analysis of polymer aging in solution using Raman spectroscopy. She carried out this work as part of her M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering Science.

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Nanoscale Biophotonics Laboratory
Dr. Alan G. Ryder
Senior Lecturer, School of Chemistry, NUI Galway,
National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
Tel: +353 (0)91 492943 or ext. 2943 (internal)
Fax: +353 (0)91 495576
E-mail: alan.ryder

nuigalway.ie
This page was last updated Wednesday, December 12, 2012